Significant efforts made by local volunteers, the train operator and Neston Town Council have been recognised at the Chester Best Kept Station Awards.

During a ceremony at the Grange Theatre in Hartford recently, Neston was highly commended for its bright and attractive station and the impressive mural in the underpass

Since 2006, volunteers have worked hard to improve the station but has missed out on honours for some time until now. The new recognition is a result of efforts made over the last couple of years to improve flower arrangements, provide extra litter bins and the repainting of the mural.

The improvements are the product of a partnership between the station adopters, a group of volunteers led by former Neston Mayor Pat Hughes, the train operator, Neston Town Council and Sion Jones, one of the council's contractors.

In recent years, the Town Council has taken an increasing interest in the local railway, and was responsible for starting the campaign for a half-hourly service on the local line in September 2014. The decision of the Town Council to become a station adopter in April 2016 was another sign of its commitment to public transport and improvements in the appearance of important public places in the town, including the painting of an impressive mural in the station underpass.

The mural features work by pupils from Neston Primary School and Neston High School whose efforts were coordinated by graffiti artist Andy 'Dimeone' Birch from North Wales.

Left to right: Phil Lloyd, Cllr Ceri Lloyd, Pat Hughes and Rob Ward in the station underpass

Pat Hughes said: "The volunteer station adopters are grateful for the support of Neston Town Council and Arriva Trains Wales, the train operator. This partnership has enabled us to make significant improvements to the station for the benefit of the public - ultimately leading to this recognition at the awards ceremony.

"We would welcome any offers from residents to help in our efforts at the station. Anyone interested should leave contact details at the reception desk in the town hall."

Councillor Ceri Lloyd, a town councillor and station adopter said: "Neston station is an important gateway to our town and we need it to convey the right impression. The town council has backed the efforts of the volunteers and the train operator with useful contributions to station improvement as part of its wider interest in public transport.

"It is committed to protecting these improvements with proper security cameras and is working with other agencies to make those arrangements."

Anyone who can offer any input to maintaining the station should visit Neston Town Hall and leave contact details at reception. Opening hours are 9.30am to 12 noon Monday to Friday.

Comments

Susan C

At 17:34 on 2nd February 2018, Susan C commented:

Well done to those people who spend time on smartening up the Staion, it looks good.
Can I just plead that when the tunnel is repainted the war-like Vikings are painted over? It just did not happen like that, and they did not have horned helmets, it's a shame to perpetuate a myth when a school is involved.

Thank you Susan for your kind remarks. We take note of your justified plea for historical accuracy.
At present the station is having repairs to the framework under the platforms - out of sight but very important.
After a spell with little trouble we have recently seen several notice boards destroyed, and newly installed plants torn up. The workmen kindly replaced some plants, and reported the vandalism to British Transport Police.
All the winning (and highly commended) Stations can be see here:
http://www.bestkeptstations.org.uk/2017-winners/

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